All three types of choice schools have excellent records that are virtually indistinguishable. Our application-only school market is oversaturated, however, and we must think anew. OKC’s Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Reach College Preparatory, for instance, does great work, but its potential is maxed out. It still serves about half of the students as the…

In 1999, the committee was shocked to learn that the OKCPS only had 485 alternative school slots for students with behavioral or attendance problems, health conditions, pregnancy or parenting challenges or who were institutionalized. According to the state’s Needs Assessment, the OKCPS needed another 1,205 slots. We also knew that punitive policies, such as “zero…

After more than 35 years in the education realm, retiring Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Karl Springer said that he is most proud of three policies he helped implement. He brought the “Great Expectations” curriculum to elementary schools and Teach for America to the district and put into place a year-long school schedule that allowed…

Credit: Brad Gregg Dozens of out-of-district school students had been accepted and enrolled at Classen School of Advanced Studies in the Oklahoma City district, only to later receive an “oops” notification. The reason? Students and parents were told the district’s school board was trying to limit the number of out-of-district transfers to Classen SAS. Thus,…

Credit: Brad Gregg Dozens of out-of-district school students had been accepted and enrolled at Classen School of Advanced Studies in the Oklahoma City district, only to later receive an “oops” notification. The reason? Students and parents were told the district’s school board was trying to limit the number of out-of-district transfers to Classen SAS. Thus,…

“They were second from the bottom in terms of academic performance,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi. “If I had a student there, I would be thrilled to have my child out of that school. This should not be a surprise to them. There were several parents who expressed concern.” Located at 537…

“They were second from the bottom in terms of academic performance,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi. “If I had a student there, I would be thrilled to have my child out of that school. This should not be a surprise to them. There were several parents who expressed concern.” Located at 537…

Taft Stadium Credit: Mark Hancock As principal with MA+ Architecture, Armbruster is focused on designs to bring Taft and Speegle Stadiums into the 21st century. Built as New Deal projects in the 1930s, both stadiums have been used for decades by Oklahoma City Public Schools sports teams. The combined budget is more than $18 million…